Healthy landscapes and waterways in Broward County depend on how you use water in your NatureScape. NatureScapes are designed to depend on natural rainfall and supplemental irrigation only when needed. Research shows that property owners overwater as much as two to three times the amount needed by the plants and that up to fifty percent of household water is used for outdoor irrigation. You can conserve water and save money if you Get the Water Right.

Use Turfgrass Wisely and Water it Efficiently Turfgrass uses the most water in the landscape and should be used wisely - such as areas where children and pets play. Minimize turfgrass in your NatureScape and water it efficiently.

Keep it Green and HealthyWater turfgrass separately from other landscape areas.

Apply supplemental water when 30 to 50 percent of the turfgrass wilts, appears bluish-grey in color or does not spring back when stepped on.

Do not mix rotors and spray heads in the same zone.

Apply 3/4-inch to 1-inch of water to thoroughly wet the root zone.

Remember to reprogram your system irrigation clock (or controller) if you are using one to make seasonal adjustments. Turn it off during the rainy season.

Water between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. when temperature and wind speeds are at their lowest. This reduces evaporation.

Other General Irrigation Tips

Avoid watering impervious surfaces such as driveways and sidewalks to prevent pollutants from running into storm drains.

Check sprinklers twice a month to ensure sprinkler heads are in good repair.

Use a rain shut-off device or sensor with your automatic sprinkler system.

Consider using drip irrigation or microirrigation for raised beds and planters.

Do not apply fertilizer when heavy rainfall is expected. Rainfall will cause the fertilizer to run off the property or leach below the root zone.

Rain Gauges and Rain Barrels

Rain gauges help track how much rain an area has received and when you need to apply additional water. A measuring cup can be used also. Rain barrels allow you to collect and store rainfall from roofs and are used for hand watering and supplemental irrigation needs.